Smalto signs deal with the Chalhoub Group

By

Florent Gilles

Published
Sep 26, 2012

malto is getting organized for overseas business. A new agreement has been reached by the company with the Chalhoub Group to develop a retail and wholesale network for the men's brand in the Middle East. 


The leading luxury distributor in this market holds exclusive rights for Smalto in UAE, Qatar, Lebanon, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain and Oman. "The objective announced by the group involves the opening of five Smalto franchise stores starting in 2014, which will distribute the brand's entire line." And of course a large number of corners in Chalhoub's vast network, which operates more than 400 multibrand stores throughout the region. 

Founded in 1962 by Italian Francesco Smalto, the Smalto brand is owned by French investor Alain Dumenil since 2001. 

Last year, Smalto CEO Thierry Le Guenic forged ties with the Chinese group Shanshan to introduce 135 Smalto stores in China within six years. Partnerships with Russia and Eastern Europe are to be finalized soon.